Reptile & Amphibian Forums

When I lived in russia (for my dads work) we went to Istanbul, Turkey for a small trip. We were there a week. At the end of the trip we went to a small...prably illegal pet markey were there were animals from turkeys to monkeys to squrrels. Our family and guide found a small stand selling tortoises for only
4$. We purchased two. When the time came to go back on a plane I took both the tortoises and put them in my pocket. I smuggled them back to Russia without a problem.
In Russia we kept them in kritter keepers and bird cages (at the time we didnt know squat about keeping them). My sisters tortoise died and my tortoise (eddy speedo) lived on. Then when we were faced with the same problem comming back because it was after 9-11 and JFK airport was a secure mess. There was dogs and even bomb squads but somehow the tortoise stayed hidden. My leg was swelled for the next month from eddy's claws.
When we got back to the states my aunt took the tortoise...she has about ten other greeks. She took it for about a year and kept it in a twenty long with a uvb and a 40 watt spotlight bulb. For substrate she used eco earth. When I got Eddy back about a month ago I put it in a 20 long with a uvb and a 60 watt spotlight and forest earth for substrate. Am I doing anything wrong. Does anyone have any clues on ehat specie it is my aunt thinks some type of spur thighed but not an african.

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Happy herping

another pic

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Happy herping

I can't answer to the exact species you have, because I'm still a beginner myself, but it does look like a Testudo sp. A 20 gal. is way, way too small for a tortoise the size of yours. My biggest (Hermann's) is smaller than yours, and has a 2' x 3' indoor pen and a 6' x 6' outdoor pen for the months when the weather is good. Is yours active and eating well? What are you feeding him? His hind legs look a little thin, but that may be because they're stretched out.

If someone else here can identify the species, we can give you more exact information. I'm not even going to try to address the whole issue of smuggling, which is what you did when you brought him into this country.
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Sohni
Northern California

0.1 Baja de L.A. Rosy Boa
0.1 Okeetee Corn Snake
1.1 Rubber Boas
1.0 Leopard Gecko
0.0.2 Hermann's Tortoises
plus my kids' herps:
0.0.1 California King Snake
1.0 Mexican Rosy Boa
0.1 Leopard Gecko

if your hermans is that size than yours are tiny eddy has a 4 inch shell mabe four and i was not that edgicated on herps i was like a tourist bringing something back i wasnt that edgicaded at all all we knew was what the person who sold it to us said.
chris
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Happy herping

My Hermann's are both under a year old, that's why they're small still.

This forum is a good place to become more educated about tortoises in general.
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Sohni
Northern California

0.1 Baja de L.A. Rosy Boa
0.1 Okeetee Corn Snake
1.1 Rubber Boas
1.0 Leopard Gecko
0.0.2 Hermann's Tortoises
plus my kids' herps:
0.0.1 California King Snake
1.0 Mexican Rosy Boa
0.1 Leopard Gecko

If you raised that from a hatchling, I'd have to say you know what you are doing. That animals looks nice.
I'd suggest keep doing what you were doing.
As to what it is, I'd say it was a Testudo ibera from where it was obtained but it almost looks like an ibera x North African greaca. It looks odd to me as far as color and pattern but it is fantastic in form.
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Ed
Tortoise_Keepers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

I agree with Sohni that a 20 gallon tank is far too small for a tortoise that size. He needs at least a 4 foot squared enclosure. He also looks too skinny to me. You can tell by the wrinkliness of his back legs and also how thin the legs are.

i'm surprised the dogs didn't smell him in the airport, though.

especially if he pooped or farted or anything (mine hotboxed my bf's car once... SHEESH)!

#13 Don't smuggle a tortoise named teddy from one country
to the U.S. during a national crisis. you should be
ashamed of your self.

If it was my beloved pet I would've tried smuggling him too. I am not referring to endangered species or the sinful animal traders, just a person who loves his little pet tortoise!